Chapter 9 outline
Chapter IX. The French Revolution pp. 361-415
France “replaced the ‘Old Regime’ with ‘modern society,’ and at its extreme phase it became very radical, so much so that all later revolutionary movements have looked back to it as a predecessor to themselves.” The French
Revolution occurred in the most advanced country of the day, the center of the Enlightenment. It was the most powerful, wealthy nation in Europe. It had the largest population (24 m) under one government. Paris was smaller than London, but double Vienna and Amsterdam. Europeans took their ideas from France, and the Revolution was to profoundly effect them.
41. Backgrounds
pp. 351-354
A. The Old Regime: The Three Estates
l. Legally an aristocratic, even feudal society; everyone belonged to an “estate” or “order” of society.
The clergy was the First Estate; the nobility the Second Estate; and everyone else, from the wealthiest businessman to the poorest peasant or city worker, was the Third Estate. Legal rights and personal prestige depended on Estate, though these were politically and socially obsolescent.
2. The role of the Church was similar to the Anglican Church in tithing, bishops’ political power, and the wealth and numbers of the clergy. The 100,000 clergy, owned 5-10% of the land with much of the income going to the aristocratic holders of higher church offices.
3. Nobles numbered about 400,000. They virtually monopolized all high offices and honors--government, church, army. They were largely tax exempt and had blocked all reforms.
4. The bourgeoisie, the elite of the Third Estate, was well off; for example, foreign trade had increased fivefold, 1713 to 1789. They resented the privileges and arrogance of the aristocracy. Commoners were as well off as in most nations, but they did not share in business prosperity. From 1730 to 1788 prices rose about 65%, wages only 22%--the wage earning proletariat had real grievances.
B. The Agrarian System of the Old Regime
l.
France “replaced the ‘Old Regime’ with ‘modern society,’ and at its extreme phase it became very radical, so much so that all later revolutionary movements have looked back to it as a predecessor to themselves.” The French
Revolution occurred in the most advanced country of the day, the center of the Enlightenment. It was the most powerful, wealthy nation in Europe. It had the largest population (24 m) under one government. Paris was smaller than London, but double Vienna and Amsterdam. Europeans took their ideas from France, and the Revolution was to profoundly effect them.
41. Backgrounds
pp. 351-354
A. The Old Regime: The Three Estates
l. Legally an aristocratic, even feudal society; everyone belonged to an “estate” or “order” of society.
The clergy was the First Estate; the nobility the Second Estate; and everyone else, from the wealthiest businessman to the poorest peasant or city worker, was the Third Estate. Legal rights and personal prestige depended on Estate, though these were politically and socially obsolescent.
2. The role of the Church was similar to the Anglican Church in tithing, bishops’ political power, and the wealth and numbers of the clergy. The 100,000 clergy, owned 5-10% of the land with much of the income going to the aristocratic holders of higher church offices.
3. Nobles numbered about 400,000. They virtually monopolized all high offices and honors--government, church, army. They were largely tax exempt and had blocked all reforms.
4. The bourgeoisie, the elite of the Third Estate, was well off; for example, foreign trade had increased fivefold, 1713 to 1789. They resented the privileges and arrogance of the aristocracy. Commoners were as well off as in most nations, but they did not share in business prosperity. From 1730 to 1788 prices rose about 65%, wages only 22%--the wage earning proletariat had real grievances.
B. The Agrarian System of the Old Regime
l.